Gas-meter.



N0. 740,301. PATENTED SEPT. 29,1903

J. .LMULHALL.

GAP; METER. APPLICATION rum JULY 0. 190a.

no MODEL.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

[NVENTOR VV/T/VESS c c. 7 THE uunms PETERS cu, Paom-umu. WnSHmfTUx PATENTED SEPT. 29, 903. J. J. MULHALL.

- GAS METER.

APPLIOATIDN FILED JULY 9, 1903.

N0 MODEL.

4 SHEETS-$1531.11: 2

INVENTOR PATENTED SEPT. 29,1903.-

'J. J. MULHALL; V GASJMUEFPER: APPLIOATION FILED J LY 9, 1903';

4 SHEETS- SHEET 4 [NI E dk lie. 740,30i.

Patented September 29, 1903.

PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES J. MULHALL, or ALBANY, NEW Yonir.

V GASMETER.

SPEGIFIGATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 740,301, dated September 29, 1903. Application fine July 9', 1903. Serial No. 164,877- (No an:

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, JAMES J. MULHALL, a

citizen of the United States, residing at Aldeclare the following to be a f ull, clear,'and 'eX-" act description'of the invention, such as will enable othersskilled in the art to whiclLit appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in motors adapted for usein connection with pressures of various kinds, and especially designed for operating a gasmeter; and it consists in the provision of means whereby the amount of the pressure may be increased and regulated and equalizing the pressure upon various pipes which lead to various gas-jets.

The invention consists, further, in the provision of a motor apparatus for use in connection with gas and other meters and so are ranged that dead-centers are obviated and so constructed that the pressure of gas introduced into the machine from a service-pipe may be increased many fold.

The invention more specifically. comprises a cylinder provided with two compartmentg' in each of which is mounted a piston which is connected by suitable means to crank-arms which are actuated by suitable camplates which are actuated at such predetermined moments that gas or any fluid pressure which may be employed will be directed throughsuitable ports into the compartments of the cylinderfor driving the pistons in such a mannor that neither of the crank-arms will at any timebe upon dead-center, the valves controlling the feed and exhaust of the fluid-pres panying drawings, which, with the letters of '5 is an end elevation.

reference marked thereon, form a part of this application, and in which drawings- Figure 1 is a side elevation of my improved apparatus. Fig. 2 is a top plan View. Fig. 3 is a sectional View on line 3 3 of Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a sectional view on line 4 4 of Fig. 1. Fig. Fig. 6 is an enlarged sectional view on line 6' def Fig. 2. Fig. 7is a detail View of the apparatus with the indieating-meter appliedthereto; and Fig. 8 is a sectional view taken on line 8 8 of Fig. 5,

showing the relative positions of the two pistons when the valves have been reversed from the positions illustrated in Fig. 4 and show: ing the cam-plates in the positions which they assume in reversing the valves.

Referencenow being bad to the details of connected a stem d, which reciprocates through a suitably-packed aperture in one head of the cylinder, while the piston-stem d, which is fastened to the piston D, passes through a similarly-packed aperture in the opposite end of the cylinder." Projecting from a recess in plates E, which are fastened to the ends of the cylinders, are the guiderods E', which are horizontally disposed and in alinement with each other, and F designates a rod which has its lower end F enlarged and provided with two apertures, one of which is designed to receive a rod E and to be guided thereon in its reciprocating movements, while the other aperture receives the piston-sten1 d, to which it is designed to. be fastened in any suitable manner in order to move with said piston-stem. A rod F similar to the rod F before referred to, is provided with two apertures in its lower enlarged end F one of said apertures adapted to slideon the rod E on the end of the cylinder, while the other hole receives the end of the piston-stem d, to which it is fastened by a suitable set-screw D (Shown in Fig. 5 of the drawings.)

Fixed to the shaft are the crank-arms G and H, which have pivotally connected thereto bars G and H respectively, which are adjustably held at their outer ends to the bifurcated ends of the rods F and F by means of pins f.

Mounted to have a reciprocating movement in suitable guideways I in the standards I, as shown in Figs. 1 and of the drawings, are the reciprocating bars K and K, which are parallel to each other, and said bars are provided, respectively, with cam-openings- K and K (Shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings.) Said cam-openings are preferably of the shape illustrated in the drawings, the marginal lines of which are substantially the shape of the outline of a figure 8 and inclined slightly to a perpendicular, said cam-openings being in vertical planes and adjacent to each other, as shown by Fig. 5. Fixed to the shaft C is an arm J, which is so positioned upon the shaft C that the antifriction-wheel J carried by the end of said arm, will con tact with the inner periphery of the camopening K at certain predetermined moments for the purpose of reciprocating the plate K, whereby the plate K may be reciprocated by the rotary movement of the shaft and arm J. A crank-arm J, similar to the arm J, is fixed also to the shaft 0 and has journale'd in its end an antifriction-roller J which is adapted to travel inside the camopening K and tocontact with the marginal outline of said opening at certain locations for the purpose of reciprocating said cam at certain predetermined moments.

Referring to Fig. 4 of the drawings, it will be observed that there are two ports N and N leading into the compartment in which the piston D is mounted and ports M and M leading through the circumference of the cylinder into the compartment in which the pisto'n D is positioned. Mounted on the circumference of the cylinder are two valvechambers O and O,which contain two rotary valves 0 and O Said valve 0 has an elongated port 0 leading through the same, while the valve 0 has a similar port 0 and in the circumferences of the valves are the elongated recesses O, which are provided for the purpose of allowing the fluid-pressure to exhaust from the compartments of the cylinders into the pipe Q, which latter is shown clearly in Fig. l of the drawings, and to which the pipe connection may be made at Q with a pipe leading to gas-fixtures. (Not shown.) A pipe R communicates between the two valve-casings O and O, as shown clearly in Fig. 5 of the drawings, and connec tion is made at B, Fig. 2 of the drawings, with a service pipe or main, through which the fluid-pressure is allowed to enter the pipe R previous to its being allowed to pass through the valves and into the compartments of the cylinder. The valve 0 is provided with a stem P, which has keyed to its upper end a bifurcated crank-arm P, which engages an antifriction-roller P mounted upon the rod S, which latter is secured to the reciprocating bar K, whereby as the latter reciprocates the stem P and the valve, of which it is a part, is caused to give a partial rotary movement. A valve-stem T, forming a part of the valve 0 projects upward from the valve and has a bifurcated crank-arm T secured thereto, in which bifurcated portion an antifrictionroller T is disposed, which is mounted upon the rod T whereby as the latter moves backward and forward the valve 0 may be rocked in its bearings in the casing 0.

Each valve-casing has an elongated recess 0 as seen in the sectional view in Fig. 3 and also in longitudinal section in Fig. 6 of the drawings, providing means for allowing the fluid-pressure to exhaust when one or the other of the recesses in the valve or valves is brought into registration with one or the other of the ducts leading through the wall of said cylinder.

Mounted upon the end of the shaft C is an ordinary indicating-meter, which is actuated by means of the shaft 0 for registering the amount of pressure which passes through the apparatus. As this indicating mechanism is of the ordinary construction common in the art, a detailed description of the same is not thought necessary.

The operation of-my apparatus is as follows: When a fluid-pressure is connected to the service-pipe,it enters one or the other of the compartmentsin the cylinder, accordingly as the ports leading thereto are in communication with the ports in the valves. Referring to the sectional views Figs. 3 and 4 of the drawings, it will be observed that the piston D is at its outer limit and the valve D is traveling in the direction of the arrow and has traversed substantially one-half the length of its compartment, in which position the valves are positioned automatically, as illustrated in Fig. 4-, in which the fluid-pres- ICO sure is entering the outer end of the compartment in which the piston D is positioned and the valve 0 is turned so that the fluidpressure will enter the port N and thence into the outer end of the compartment in which the piston D is positioned. While the valves are in the positions illustrated in Fig. 4:, the piston D will continue on its inner throw and the piston D will commence its travel toward the central partition. The inner throw of the piston D will raise the bar H Fig. 3, out of dead-center, and the bar G, pushing upon the crank-arm, to which it is connected, raises the inner end of the bar H and the pressure upon the outer face of the piston D will cause the crank H to .be

turned, and when the piston l) approaches its inner limit the antifriction-wheel J carried by the arm J, will contact with the inwardly-projecting margin of the cam-opening in the plate K and will throw the plate K to its farthest limit to the right, which will cause the valve to be turned through its connec tion with said plate'K into such a position thatthe port 0 will be out ofregistration with the duct or port M, leading to the outer end of the compartment in which the piston D'is positioned, and will be thrown so that the port 0 will Communicate with the port M, leading to the inner end of the compartment in which the piston D works, and at the same time the exhaust-recess 0 will be in 1 registration with the port M. It will be observed that on the inner travel of the piston D one of the exhaust-recesses is in communication with the port M, whereby the fluid in advance of the piston is allowed to exhaust through said recess and to and through the pipe R. When the piston D approaches its inner limit, the antifriction-wheel Ji carried by the arm J, will contact with the inner periphery ot the cam-opening in the plate K and will cause the latter to move longitudinally and the valve 0 will begin to turn in the casing, and when the antifriction-wheel J contacts with the'inwardly-projecting point in the margin of the cam-aperture the bar will be given a throw to its limit, which will turn the valve 0 so that the port 0 therein will register with the port N and allow the fluidpressure to enter the inner end of the chamher in which the piston D works. While the piston D is traveling inthe direction of the arrow, Fig. 4, the fluid inadvance of the piston will exhaust through the port N and 'one of the exhaust-recessos'O, as will be readily observed.

By the provision of the apparatus described and illustrated it will be noted that the valves are so arranged and operated at predeter-' mined moments that the two pistons will be so working that there will not be dead-center upon either crank or bar connected therewith and an even and uniform pressure will be maintained upon the pipe leading from the exhaust passage-ways to the jets or pipes where the fluid-pressure is utilized.

While I have described my apparatus as applied for a special use in connection with meters for measuring gas, it will be understood that I do not limit myself to gas, as the samemay be employed in connection with hydraulic pressures for forcing water or other fluids in which by the introduction of a fluid at a low pressure the pressure at the exhaustpipes may be increased many fold, and while I have shown a particular construction of ap-' paratus embodying the features of my invention I may alter the same in various details, if desired, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Having thus fully described my invention,

' what I claim as new ,-and desire to secure by Letters Patent, isp 1. Ameterappa'ratuscomprisingacylinder, two compartments therein, a piston working in each compartment, valvecasings communicating with said compartments, valve-plugs mounted in said casings and communicating with a service-pipe, a rotary shaft, connections between the same and said pistons for rotating the shaft, cam members, and connections between the same and said valves, and means for actuating said cam members as the shaft'rotates, whereby the valves may be actuated at predetermined moments, as set forth. a

2. A meter apparatus comprising a cylinder with compartments therein, apiston mounted in each compartment, valve-casings communicating with said compartments, valves positioned in said casings, a service-pipe leading thereto, a rotary shaft, connections between the same and said pistons for rotating the same, reciprocating cam members, arms carried by said shaft adapted to reciprocate said cam members, connections between said members and valves for rotating the same at, predetermined moments, whereby the feeding of the fluid-pressure into the opposite ends :of the compartments, may be-controlled, as

set forth.

' 3. Ameterapparatuscomprisingacylinder with compartments therein, a piston mounted in each'compartment having a stem passing through a suitably-packed aperture in the end ,of the cylinder, a rod fixed to the piston-stem,

a shaft journaled in suitable bearings, crankand-pitman connections between said rods and shaft, reciprocating cam members, arms carried by said shaft and adapted to actuate said cam members, connections between the latter and said valves, whereby the latter-may be actuated at predetermined moments, as set forth.

t. A meter apparatus comprising a cylinder, compartments therein, a piston Working in each compartment, a piston-stem working through each end of the cylinder, a rod fixed to each piston-stem, and a guide extension on which said rod travels, a rotary shaft, crankand-pitm'an connections between the same and said rods on the piston-stems, reciprocat ing cam-plates, arms carried by said shafts and adapted to actuate said cam-plates,'and connections between the latter and said valves, whereby the latter may be actuated at predetermined moments, as set forth.

5. A meter apparatus comprising a cylinder having compartments therein,a piston in each compartment, stems to the pistonsworking through the ends of the cylinder, a rod secured to each piston-stem, guide extensions upon the'ends of the cylinder passing through said rod on which the latter are guided, valvecasings communicating with the compartments, valves mounted in said casings, crank- .and-pitman connections between said shaft and rods, arms fixed to said shaft, reciprocating plates having cam-outlined apertures ing cam-outlined apertures therein, arms rotating with said shaft, antifriction-wheels carried by said arms and adapted to contact with the cam-outlined margins ofsaid apertures to reciprocate said plate, valve-casings communicating with said compartments, and

valves mounted in said casings having stems which are actuated by said cam-plates, asset forth.

7. A meter apparatus comprising a cylinder, compartments therein, a piston mounted in each compartment, a stem for each piston working through an end of the cylinder, a rod fixed to each stem, a rotary shaft, reciprocating plates having cam -outlined apertures therein, arms fixed to said shaft and adapted to rotate with the shaft and inside the camoutlined apertures of the two plates, respectively,antifriction-wheels carried bysaid arms andadapted to contact with the marginalontlines of the apertures to reciprocate the plates,valve-casings communicating with the compartments of the cylinder, valves in said casings, and connections between the same and said reciprocating plates, as set forth.

8. A-meter apparatus comprising a cylinder, compartments therein, a piston mounted in each compartment, a stem for each piston working through an end of the cylinder, a rod fixed to each stem, a rotary shaft, reciprocating plates having cam-outlined apertures therein, arms fixed to said shaft-and adapted to rotate with the shaft and inside the camou'tlined apertures of the two plates, respectively,antifriction-wheelscarried bysaid arms and'adapted to contact with the marginal outlines of the apertures to reciprocate the plates, 7 valve-casings communicating with the com-- partments of the cylinder, valves in said casings, stems to said valves, rods projecting from said reciprocating plates, and crankarms mounted upon the stems of the valves and connected to said projecting rods, as set forth.

9. A meter apparatuscomprising a cylinder, compartments therein, a piston mounted in each compartment, a stem for each piston working through an end of thecylinder, a rod fixed to each stem, a rotary shaft, reciprocating plates having cam outlined apertures therein, arms fixed to said shaft andadapted to rotate with the shaft and inside the camoutlined apertures of the two plates, respectively, antifriction-wheels carried by said arms and adapted to contact with the marginal outlines of the apertures to reciprocate the plates, valve-casings communicating with the-compartments of the cylinder, valves in said casings, stemsto said valves, crank-arms keyed to said stems and having bifurcated ends, rods projecting from the reciprocating plates, and antifriction-rollers carried by said projecting arms and engaging the bifurcated ends of said'crank-arms, as set forth.

10. A meter apparatus comprising a cylinderwith compartments. therein, a piston positioned in each compartment having a stem working through the end of the'cylinder, a

rod fixed to the end of each piston, a rotary shaft journaled in suitable bearings and having crank-arms thereon, a pitman connected to each crank and adj ustably fastened to each of said rods, reciprocating plates having camoutlined apertures therein suitably mounted on the apparatus, crank-arms fixed to said shaft and rotating respectively within the cam-outlined apertures,an antifriction-wheel at the end of each arm adapted to contact with the marginal outline of the apertures in the plate, valve-casings communicating-with the compartments, a service-pipe leading to the Valve-casings, and exhaust-pipes leading from the valve-casings, connections between the same and said reciprocating bars,whereby the valves may beactuated at predetermined moments, as set forth.

In testimony whereof I hereunto affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JAMES J. MULHALL. Witnesses: a

JOHN W. WALSH, PETER A. HART. 

